Make Your Mark

Over 1.1 million young people decided what Members Youth Parliament debated in House of Commons

This year’s Make Your Mark campaign has seen 1,106,788 young people take part, making it one of the largest youth consultations of its kind in UK history, with 1 in 5 of all young people aged 11-18 taking part. The Make Your Mark ballot is supported by Local Authorities, schools, Parliament, The British Youth Council and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport. It gives young people across the country a say on what is to be debated on the green benches of the House of Commons by Members of Youth Parliament.

Each issue will be discussed within the chamber on Friday 9th November during the UK Youth Parliament’s eighth sitting in the House of Commons. This years debate is due to be chaired by John Bercow MP, Speaker of the House of Commons who has chaired every debate in the House of Commons since their first sitting in 2009.

The five issues that have been prioritised are:

Put an end to Knife crime – Too many young people’s lives are lost to knife crime; the Government need to do more to help end the knife crime epidemic.

Mental Health – Mental health services should be improved with young

people’s help; and should be available in schools..

Equal Pay, Equal Work – Give young people the same amount of pay, if they are doing the same work as adults in the same job.

Tackling Homelessness – Every person should have a place to live and the opportunity to live comfortably. Let’s make it happen and put a stop to homelessness.

Votes at 16 – Give 16 and 17 year olds the right to vote in all elections/referendums.

The Make Your Mark ballot orders the top five issues, but those chosen for the UK wide priorities debate must include 2 UK wide topics and 3 reserved English only topics. Due to the devolved nature of the UK democracy and to ensure relevant representation of the issues from all nations.